Columnist Joe Delaney: Desert Inn wise to embrace classic performers

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-4066.

When Kirk Kerkorian owned the Desert Inn back in the 1980s there was a press gathering to announce that Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Anka and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme would perform in rotation in the 600-seat Desert Inn Crystal Room, one week at a time.

Martin was ill but the others did perform, with occasional fill-in weeks by performers like Willie Nelson. ... The casino prospered.

When Steve Wynn opened his Golden Nugget in Atlantic City with a 500-seat showroom in the 1980s he paid Sinatra as much as he had been getting for six-day weeks in 1,200-seat showrooms there to play three-day weekends at the new Golden Nugget. ... The wise guys scoffed.

When Sinatra was responsible for a $5 million casino drop one Saturday in December, the scoffing stopped. ... Sinatra also played the 500-seat LV Golden Nugget Cabaret and did commercials with Wynn.

And now an 'if'

If Wynn does create a Desert Inn star-policy rotation similar to the one Kerkorian did there with Sinatra, et al., utilizing Anka, Tony Bennett and Steve and Eydie as has been reported, it should make the D.I. a winner once more. ... Wynn didn't ask me but he should add Lionel Richie, if available, to the list along with Kenny Rogers.

Don Rickles could be joined by Buddy Hackett and Alan King for two-day stands, supplementing five-day weeks by Anka & Co. ... Seven-day weeks made Las Vegas; a showroom should be open every night, not just on weekends.

Ray Romano is performing 10:30 p.m. shows in the Danny Gans Theatre Friday and Saturday; Gans returned to action Tuesday, completely recovered from his emergency appendectomy. ... Ronn Lucas does 10:30 p.m. shows in the Danny Gans Theatre the last three weekends in June.

Star-policy rundown

It's Bobby "Blue" Bland, tonight only (Arizona Charlie's); Steve and Eydie (Caesars Palace); "Honky Tonk Angels" (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Harrah's); Wynonna (LV Hilton); comedian-magician Fielding West (Lady Luck); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Siegfried & Roy, plus Gans and Romano (Mirage); and Lance Burton (Monte Carlo).

In addition, it's Peter, Paul and Mary (Orleans); David Cassidy-Sheena Easton (Rio); Wayne Newton (Stardust); and Andre-Philippe Gagnon (Venetian). ... The hottest new act in town is the Scintas with comedy, music and impressions, 8 p.m. nightly except Monday (LV Hilton Nightclub).

"Tap Dogs" tapped out this week to make room for "Footloose: The Musical," making its western U.S. debut in the Rio's new theater designed primarily for theatrical productions. ... Rio brass is looking for a long, happy summer run, appealing to a younger crowd this summer.

Local happenings

Happy 18th anniversary, John Stuart's "Legends In Concert," celebrating tonight in the Imperial Palace's Imperial Theatre. ... Third and final weekend for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," LV Little Theatre. ... Actor's Repertory Theatre's presents "The Wizard of Oz," continuing through Sunday (Summerlin Library Theatre).

More than 150 children will receive their first bicycles at 11 a.m. Friday in the Circus Circus Adventuredome, thanks to the local Variety Club, the Children's Charity's "Bikes For Kids" program.

Dr. Morton Greene presents hypnotist Vandersaal, performing free, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 and 11 p.m. with each show preceded by a Magic & Comedy Show, at Boomer's on Sirius, between Rancho and Valley View. ... The 25th annual LV International Food Festival takes place 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Rainbow Library, Buffalo at Cheyenne.

More happenings

Barbershop harmony fans can enjoy the Gas House Gang plus the City of Lights and the Gamble-aires in concert, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, CCSN's Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, Cheyenne Campus. ... Carl Grove Combo plays Big Band music for dancing, 7 p.m. Saturday, Charleston Heights Center. ... The annual Las Vegas Jazz Society Picnic is noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Winchester Center Park.

The Cashman Jr. High School Band, the Paul Dourge Band, Steven Lee and No Fear with Rocco Barbato, the Jimmy Wilkins New Life Big Band and Brass on the Grass will perform. ... More jazz when we see you here Friday.

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